11.26.08
Indication: Dementia
Source: Alzheimer's & Dementia 2008;4(suppl 2):T165-166.
Research: This randomized, double-blind study included 410 outpatients who received either a once-daily dose of 240 mg of the patented Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 or a corresponding placebo. The primary outcome measure in the cognitive domain was the change in the total score of the SKT test battery, an internationally and cross-culturally validated measure to test cognitive performance in dementia. In the neuropsychiatric domain, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was applied. Secondary outcome measures included scales to test the improvement or deterioration of daily activities, quality of life and the distress experienced by caregivers.
Results: Like the majority of dementia patients encountered in everyday clinical practice, the patients in this study suffered from both cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, irritability or aggression. During the observation period of 24 weeks, the patients treated with EGb 761 improved throughout the study with a significant advantage of 1.7 points (Alzheimer's disease) and 1.4 points (Vascular dementia) in the SKT. In terms of the NPI score, an advantage of 3.1 points (Alzheimer's disease) and 3.2 points (vascular dementia) was observed for the patients receiving EGb 761. Similar improvements were found in all other outcome measures. EGb 761 was also very well tolerated with comparable adverse event rates in both treatment groups. Researchers feel this study confirms that EGb 761 improves cognition as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms and activities of daily living.